Family Therapy in Lake Nona South, Orlando, FL

A.J. Garcia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida. She began Thrive Counseling in 2012 with the goal of creating a space for clients of all ages and walks of life to find opportunity for positive growth in their lives. Integrity and professionalism are at the top of A.J.’s core values, and they serve as the foundation of her work with clients. Support and encouragement are essential to the counseling process, and are vital in the promotion of wellness.

Stress management is a growing struggle for people of all ages and it becomes SO HARD to organize ourselves! Whether we are working or stay at home moms, have difficulty creating work and life balance, or even have school and test anxiety everyone needs a guide sometimes in identifying where we need help. At My Best Self Therapy, I focus on not just talking about your stresses, but collaborating on creating an actual plan of attack. This therapy is dedicated and designed to encourage and cultivate the positive inherent traits that all people have within. Accepting Telehealth visits ONLY for clients residing in New York and Florida.

I have worked with people of all ages ranging from children to the elderly, with more focus devoted to those in their late teen s - mid - life stages . I specialize in working with anxiety, anger management, ADHD, stress management, improving relationships and communication, navigating life transitions, and parenting challenges. I have considerable experience supporting LGBTQIA individuals and helping them to navigate the challenges they may encounter with family, friends, or community. I also have worked extensively with parents on navigating challenging childhood behaviors and teenage puberty.

I serve the community of Orlando by helping clients going through depression, anxiety, family difficulties, and trauma get to a better mental health. I facilitate this through working within individual sessions (adult and children), family sessions (couples or family), or through group settings. This allows for the client to heal and for the people around the client to grow as well to maintain a healthier outcome.

I am licensed in Florida with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence.

Have you ever felt that you didn’t have a hold on your own life? Sometimes, we can feel stuck and clueless on the next step to take. Therapy is great first step toward finding the answers you’re looking for. I believe that the relationship between a person and their therapist is the most important part of therapy. The connection and safety you experience with your therapist is fundamental to your journey toward wholeness and wellness. To create that safe environment, I work with compassion, creativity, and integrity. My deepest desire as a therapist is that I come to understand all parts of who you are, to truly see you.

Life can be difficult. Whether dealing with relationship conflict, life transitions, grief, loss or parenting issues, the challenges of life can take a toll on our sense of well-being. If you are feeling hopeless, finding it hard to let go, or simply need a place to heal, you have come to the right place. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have worked extensively with individuals, couples, and families of diverse backgrounds, utilizing a therapeutic approach that is safe, supportive, non-judgmental, and solution focused. I offer therapy sessions that are confidential and tailored to fit your needs.

Are you frustrated with your relationships? Maybe you’re feeling disconnected from your partner or feeling like a failure as a parent; maybe you struggle to make or maintain friendships. You question yourself constantly, “Is it me…is it them?” You feel like you do the best you can but it isn’t enough. Or maybe, you know you can do better but can’t seem to “get it together.” This is so frustrating! You end up becoming a version of yourself that is unhappy, resentful, defensive, and isolated. You desire a change but may be thinking, “there’s no hope, I’ve tried everything.”

Some of the things that happened while you were growing up, you knew you weren’t supposed to talk about, and you’ve kept them secret or hidden all these years. Your family seemed "normal", but you don’t think others experienced the same thing. You wonder if those incidents are impacting your life now. And if they are part of why it’s so hard to set boundaries. Or perhaps why it’s impossible to maintain long-lasting relationships. Is your childhood where your constant anxiety, self-sabotage, need for control, and fear of abandonment come from?

Feeling stressed and frustrated with your child? Not sure how to help them or understand their behavior. I work collaboratively with you to understand your child and develop a healthier relationship and family life. Are you having big reactions, feeling stressed frequently, or have experienced trauma. I also love working with adults to deal with the difficult challenges life can bring. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified in EMDR, safe and sound protocol and a registered play therapist. I use Play/Sand Therapy, EMDR, SSP, ego states/parts work and parenting support/education.

Are you having difficulty managing a life challenge? We just want to be happier and live a better life but sometimes life can take unexpected turns, bringing us challenges that can make us feel confused or unsure of the future. These challenges could be issues within your relationships with family and loved ones, parenting issues, symptoms of anxiety or depression, struggling with identity/new cultural norms and expectations,feeling as if you are unable to cope with day-to-day stressors, and/or past trauma. Together, we will explore the roots of your difficulties in order to obtain better insight and awareness.

All individuals and families go through periods of intense difficulty. ...Sadness, Anxious, Painful and Conflict are words I have used when describing these times. It is important to know that life can get better and we are committed to walking with you to the other side. Many find relief from PTSD, anxiety/ stress, depression, and sexual abuse through our processes. These processes may include "ART" a new eye movement therapy.... Our counseling/coaching team does not just work to repair your marriage; we work to restore it... Our goal is to get to the heart of issues causing your discomfort.

Virtual Only. As my patient, you will often enjoy the ability to be heard without judgement or interruption, when you want to share details of events that cause you to experience the emotions you are feeling. People often need an outlet as they process what they are feeling and I provide that in a safe environment. I guide the sessions to help encourage you in developing solutions when you are in that place emotionally, and ready for a positive change. Patients often find relief of their symptoms when they feel validated in how they are feeling, and supported as they learn how to cope with various situations that arise.

Therapy is equivalent to attaining your personal and professional success. In this competitive and challenging world, it is often times intimidating and frustrating to reach your goals. I am here to help you find your happiness by equipping you with an array of tools to achieve your destination. My main goal in treatment is to guide you with compassion, empathy and unconditional support. I am experienced in providing an array of services to children, adults and families experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Bipolar disorder as well as many other life struggles and issues.

Are you finding it hard cope with your day-to-day life or not feeling fulfilled? Don’t bring yesterday into today. Let’s work together to bring you back to a place of happiness. I specialize in pre-teen, teens, adults, couples, and families. I also facilitate groups and individual counseling sessions designed to deal with cognitive, emotional and behavioral imbalances. I use a variety of psychotherapeutic methods and techniques to help balance distress. Let’s develop new strategies and distinctions to improve your life. Life can at times feel intense and unmanageable, but with guidance and commitment you can achieve anything.

Are you feeling as though you cannot change, manage, or overcome your situation or yourself? Maybe you’re feeling alone, powerless anxious, or depressed and all you desire is a bit of hope—some reassurance that everything is going to be okay. I want you to know that it can be “okay,” that you do not have to walk through this alone, and that you are stronger than you think you are. I believe with the right support, you can begin to experience a version of life, and yourself, that you love.

Is your relationship facing challenges that seem insurmountable? Are communication issues leaving you feeling frustrated and disconnected? Discover a path towards healing and transformation with our comprehensive online relationship and couples therapy services. We understand the complexities of relationships and the unique dynamics that can strain even the strongest bonds. Our tailored approach focuses on empowering you with the essential skills to enhance intimacy, master communication, and foster a deeper understanding of each other.

Our mission is to provide quality online mental health and substance abuse services while breaking down the barriers of traditional, office-based therapy. Traditional mental health and substance abuse treatment tends to focus on what makes you sick, and what you are lacking but at The Mindful Lemon, our clinicians let you sit in the driver’s seat, focusing on your strengths and assets to help you become the best version of you! This can be via traditional talk therapy, medication management, mindfulness techniques, an emphasis on health, wellness, and fitness, or any combination of the above.

I currently have availability Tues-Thur. Imagine what it feels like to carry a heavy burden – months or years of carrying the effects of trauma and have it gone in 2 sessions. I specialize in reprogramming distressing images and memories which have been stored in your brain and now, no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. You will be able to let it go! I do not need to know the details of your trauma in order for you to heal. I can quickly and effectively treat Anxiety, Phobias,
 Panic Attacks
, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress, Abuse, Infidelity,
Codependency,
 Grief, &
 Performance Anxiety.